My sister and brother-in-law announced that they will be providing us with the first baby in the family early next year.  CONGRATULATIONS TO SUE & JOE.

She told Dad last night, but he had forgotten by the time David and I were talking about it later on.

"I hope it likes to be petted." Said my sweet Dad.  "I've never had a human grandchild before!"

I bet the four-legged grandchildren will be jealous!

Every so often, Dad will ask me if he has anything left in his condo (we are renting it out) and each time, I tell him that  all of his things are upstairs in our attic.

Whenever he brings it up, I always suggest that he go through a box a week, but he generally declines when I ask him to do it, using any excuse like, "It's getting dark and I can't see very well." or "I'm kind of tired, I'll start tomorrow."

There are about 250 boxes.  In the past three years he has gone through one.  One.

I told him at this rate, it will take him 20 years to go through it all.

"Well, that gives me another reason to shoot for 100!" He replied.

Dad will be turning Eighty years old in July, and my sister Nancy is coming up from Atlanta for a "surprise party".

She asked who we should invite, where we should have it, what kind of cake, etc.

So, I decided that I would just ask Dad if he could have the birthday party of his dreams, who would bet there, where would it be and what he would like if he could have anything he wanted.

Once I know all of the answers, I can begin to plan the party he wants and it can still be a "surprise" by July!  He will think I am the BEST PARTY PLANNER EVER!

And best of all, he will be surprised!

My sister Nancy called last night to chat with Dad and I handed him the cell phone and walked into the living room to watch a movie with David.

Each time I would walk by on the way to get a drink, go to the bathroom, etc. I would hear a sampling of the conversation which on Dad's end consisted of weather in Atlanta where Nancy lives, weather here in Pfafftown, NC and Nancy's new job.

We finished watching the movie and I went to check on Dad and he was just finishing up his conversation.

Her patient attitude allowed him to repeat, and repeat, and repeat.

I'm glad there are no such thing as long distance fees anymore!  His Alzheimer's would have put us in the poorhouse with phone calls alone!